McLaren takes wraps off of Fernando Alonso's Indy 500 ride

The No. 66 car to evoke memories of Bruce McLaren, Mark Donohue

Autoweek Staff

Fernando Alonso will pilot the No. 66 McLaren at the 103rd Indianapolis 500.

For the 103rd Indianapolis 500, McLaren Racing and Fernando Alonso will pay homage to McLaren's first victory at the Brickyard. McLaren today released images of its livery for May; it includes a papaya orange color originally chosen by Bruce McLaren for the team's first Formula 1 car in 1996, as well as a blue color and the No. 66 that adorned the car for Mark Donohue's Penske-run M16 in 1972. It's all part of Alonso's effort to win the third and final leg in the triple crown of motorsport -- 24 Hours of Le Mans, Indianapolis 500 and the F1 Monaco Grand Prix. Indy is last on his list to check off. The No. 66 race car is en route from the U.K. to the U.S. ahead of the open test at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on April 24. Meanwhile, its sister test car will be used by Alonso for a closed test at Texas Motor Speedway on April 9.

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The No. 66's sister car will be at a test at Texas Motor Speedway on April 9.

“The reveal of the No. 66 car and livery is an important moment for McLaren Racing’s journey to the Indianapolis 500," said McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown. "It represents the beginning of the next phase of our program and reflects a tremendous amount of hard work by our specialist Indy 500 team at the McLaren Technology Centre. We are all looking forward to seeing the No. 66 out on track for the first time on April 24.” Alonso will be making his second try at Indianapolis after finishing 27th in the 2017 Indy 500. Alonso led 27 laps that day. “I’m excited we are finally able to reveal to the world the No. 66 car which I’ll be racing with McLaren at the Indy 500 in May," Alonso said. "The team at the McLaren factory has worked very hard to build this car ready for our return to the iconic Brickyard, and I think it looks fantastic in the 2019 McLaren Racing colors. My hopes for the race remain the same, to win and achieve the triple crown, and I’m looking forward to meeting the fantastic U.S. fans who made me feel so welcome first time around.”